Shipstation - Importing Custom Product Details

To import additional values that may not be stored in your POS you can use Shipstation's import process to add them directly to Shipstation.  This might include data like images or weights.  The imported values will then override line item values from the order data received from POS.

Shipstation provides some detailed instructions that you can follow here:

• How do I update my Shipstation Products?
• How do I import new Shipstation Products?

Gathering your Data - Exporting Products

Shipstation requires that you import products using a CSV file using their import template.  Their import process replaces the data in Shipstation with the data you import.   To prevent data loss, it will be critical to export your Shipstation product data first.  You can export product data in Shipstation by navigating to Products > Export.

Note: Shipstation doesn't email you the export.  You'll need to check Shipstation periodically to see when its ready.

Recommended: Save a copy of the Shipstation export for use as a backup.

In addition to data from Shipstation, you'll want to gather the data you'd like to import.  This may include:

• An item export from Data Tools for Lightspeed Retail
• A Shopify export
• Exports from other platforms.

Building your Import file - Excel and more

The Shipstation export file can be modified and used as your import file.  This should be done by someone with at least a basic familiarity of spreadsheet editors such as Excel.  The file must be in CSV format.

Note: Shipstation requires that all columns and headers are included.  Do not remove any columns or headers.

After exporting product data you can copy values from your other exports to the associated fields in your Shipstation file.  Whether this is done via copy/paste or spreadsheet functions will depend on your familiarity with spreadsheet editors.

Things you might consider importing include:

• Image URLs for Thumbnails
• Weights
• Shipstation uses special tags for products which might need special handling.

Note: Shipstation allows you to match to existing products on SKU or Name.  We recommend using SKU.

Importing Products to Shipstation

Once your file is prepared you can navigate back to Shipstation to import the file.  The import button is right next to the export button and is located by navigating to Products > Import:

From this menu you can select the CSV file for import.  Remember the file must use all the same columns and headers as their template.  Selecting "Update product information if the products already exist" will allow you to import updates to existing products in Shipstation.  Any products that don't already exist in Shipstation will be created in Shipstation.

Note: Shipstation doesn't send you an email when the import is complete, so you'll need to check Shipstation periodically to see when its done.

If you have any questions please contact our Support team for assistance.